Taylorsville prison on lockdown after inmate attacks officer

Inmates at an Alexander County prison are on lockdown after an attack on an officer last week.

On July 8, an inmate used a homemade weapon to assault an officer at Alexander Correctional Institution in Taylorsville, according to Pamela Walker, a spokesperson for the state Department of Public Safety.

The officer received treatment for injuries that were not life-threatening but has not yet returned to work, Walker said.

The department declined to identify the inmate or the officer.

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The county district attorney’s office and sheriff’s office will investigate to determine what criminal charges will be brought against the inmate. The department will identify the inmate once he is charged, Walker said.

After the attack, Alexander implemented a “modified lockdown,” which meant that inmates could not meet with visitors, use phones or take part in classes or outside recreation, Walker said.

Starting this week, the prison will gradually return to normal operations.